It’s derby day in Renfrewshire tomorrow as St Mirren host Greenock Morton at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
The sides have already met once this season when St Mirren made the short journey to Cappielow in August. Cammy Smith scored a sensational goal in front of almost 2000 Saints in the Wee Dublin End a few minutes before half time to cancel out Michael Tidser’s opener for the home side. However, a red card for Jack Baird saw Saints reduced to 10 men early in the second half with Tidser scoring from the resultant penalty. Goals from Bob McHugh and Andy Murdoch rounded off a disappointing afternoon for the Buddies.
Jack Ross’ side bounced back from that 4-1 loss as they went on to win six of their next eight league matches – a run that saw them claim the top spot in the Ladbrokes Championship. Indeed it has been Saints’ home form in the league that has been integral to the side sitting top of the pile. The Buddies have won their first five league matches at home this season – the first time that’s happened since moving into the Paisley 2021 Stadium. Falkirk, Dundee United, Inverness, Queen of the South and Brechin have all made the journey to Paisley this season and left with nothing.
But it's results on the road over the past two weeks that have seen Saints remain top of the table. Last weekend's 0-0 draw with Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium saw the Buddies pick up a good point on the back of a first win away to Dumbarton since 1996 the previous week.
Meanwhile, Jim Duffy’s Morton currently sit in sixth place in the Ladbrokes Championship with four wins, three draws and three defeats from their opening ten matches. Two of their wins in the league this season have come on the road – a 2-1 win over Queen of the South in Dumfries and a 1-0 victory at Brechin two weeks ago.
Like Saints, they come into tomorrow’s match unbeaten in their last two matches. Last weekend they drew 1-1 with Dumbarton at Cappielow as McHugh's second half strike cancelled out Mark Stewart's early goal for the Sons, while an 81st minute goal saw them squeeze past Brechin at Glebe Park a fortnight ago.
The Buddies are unbeaten at home against Morton since a 5-1 loss in 1999. However, two 1-1 draws with the Greenock side saw Saints fail to defeat them at home last season. Saints' last win over Morton at the Paisley 2021 Stadium came in April 2016 with goals from Lawrence Shankland, Calum Gallagher and Stevie Mallan seeing the Buddies come out on top 3-1.
The squad looks likely to be as it was for last weekend's draw against Falkirk. Harry Davis is edging closer to a comeback after returning to training, but he remains out as do fellow long-term absentees Gary MacKenzie and Josh Todd.
As is always the case with derby matches, three points for either side are all the sweeter as both look to claim bragging rights. A win for Saints would keep them top of the table, while three points could see Morton climb into the play-off positions.
It’s all set to be an exciting match with over 4,000 supporters expected at the Paisley 2021 Stadium tomorrow. Tickets will be on sale right until kick-off so if you haven’t already got yours make sure you do and come back the Buddies.
